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Mark Mellett Irish Naval Service Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff Defence Forces and Dermot O'Mahoney Port of Cork Pictured at the Port of Cork, for the launch of Meitheal Mara’s ambitious plans for the realisation of an integrated maritime hub for Cork City. Scroll down for photo galleryPhoto: Gerard McCarthy

Minister Simon Coveney TD launched the new Strategic Plan of Meitheal Mara, Cork Harbour’s community boatyard and maritime heritage organisation. The organisation’s plans for the future are ambitious and include the realisation of an expanded Meitheal Mara as part of an integrated maritime hub for Cork City.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Simon Coveney TD said, ‘This is an ambitious plan with many potential benefits, not just for Meitheal Mara, but also for Cork City and Cork Harbour. The proposed development will provide opportunities to grow and integrate the maritime recreation and tourism sector within Cork City, and extend and integrate maritime activities from the city throughout Cork Harbour ‘.

Founded in 1993, Meitheal Mara is a maritime heritage community for young people and adults. Over the last 20 years, the organisation has shared the organisation’s maritime culture ethos by bringing the pleasures of building and rowing currachs to a wide public. Since this time thousands of individuals have had the opportunity for personal growth and progression through these activities.

Over the years there has been a huge increase in interest in the marine environment and watersports activities throughout the city and county and amongst a diverse range of participants, boat lovers and tourists. Chair of Meitheal Mara, Martin Ryan said, ‘in response to these opportunities, our vision is to expand the organisation and provide additional supporting facilities for other maritime groups through the development of a maritime innovation hub on the banks of the River Lee. This hub will feature development, commercial as well as activity infrastructure, including training and education workshops, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, boat building and repair, craft training, a clubhouse, changing rooms, and storage for boats as well as equipment’.

The launch was attended by over a hundred stakeholders, sponsors and partners of the organisation and plans were received with great interest and support. See photos below Gerard Photography

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